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Pros: Materials, Overall Quality, Sheath/Scabbard, Finish, Weight, Blade Material, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Handle Material, None
Cowabunga, Dude!
I’m not sure I fully understand this knife. The handle of Shanghai Warrior seems small in diameter, and the scales are slick in the hand. I believe this is purposeful; from the description above, it seems you’re supposed to dazzle your adversary w/B.S. (your ninja knife whirling skills), like the sword twirling assassin in the market place, before Indiana Jones takes him out with his revolver. Seriously, this knife would probably be impressive in the hands of a skilled martial artist. It’s pearls before swine, with me; and looks like a visit to the E.R. Maybe I could just dazzle my opponent with a magic trick. Pull a Quarter out of his ear, or, something. So, I wrapped the handle in black athletic tape (may add handle bar tape hump in center of grip), and made “just a knife” out of it. I’m not sure how you’re supposed to use that thumb ring, either. When I stick my thumb in it in ice pick grip, the blade’s side (not edges), are facing my adversary. ??? Not for gripping; must be just for twirling. Index finger is awkward in the ring, too; unlike TOPS Knive’s excellent mid-sized tactical fixed, C.U.T. 4.0 w/index finger ring (available @ KnifeCenter.com). Shanghai Warrior’s ring makes a nice pommel, though. You could drive it in the ground and hitch your horse to it. I imagine there’s a Cold Steel DVD on the subject that would be enlightening, and a rubber training knife. I’ll probably just remain an ignorant pilgrim. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shanghai Warrior’s blade is impressive, with its nice long compound saber grinds, with about a 23-25 degree edge. This is my first Cold Steel in SK5. Arrived sharp. Weight forward balance, with fulcrum about 2” ahead of guard. Knife seems heavy in sheath, but a much lighter feel when grasped in the hand. Doesn’t seem cumbersome/clumsy, for a knife this size. Secure-Ex sheath is fine, serves its purpose, good retention, needs a clean-out/drain hole (have to drill it yourself). >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I think I’ll drip some beef blood on the sheath and hang this thing in the guest bathroom downstairs. Nothing says, “You’ve overstayed your welcome,” like a bloody Shanghai Warrior hanging from the towel rack, like you were butchering things in the bath tub. Could be just the thing, for those stubborn, “don’t know when to leave” relatives. Shanghai Warrior is definitely one to have in your collection. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> P.S. Hey, Cold Steel, if you made the inner diameter of the ring pommel several millimeters smaller, you could open a beer with it, and it would become a highly functional multi-tool, sought after by soldiers, sailors, and civilians the world over. You could call it, “Drink’n’Dice.” I’d give it 6 Stars.
